Molloscum Prevention and Diagnosis
Todd Mumford
May 11, 2007
First discovered in 1871, the Molluscum Contagiosum disease has a long history and the medical fraternity has been since then debating on what makes Molluscum spread. But now there is more or less unanimity on the causes that make this viral infection affect an individual and spread to a community.
Researchers and medical professionals agree that the virus that is behind the malaise is the same one that had caused chicken pox in the younger years. Since a virus cannot be completely removed from the human body (only the symptoms can be treated), it remains dormant after the chicken pox has been cured. Then after years, the same virus becomes active again to make the Molluscum disease spread. There is also unanimity on the believe that the virus in the body becomes active due to some triggers such as a weakened immune system or some other ailment.
It is believed that humidity and warmth are also reasons why this disease spreads. And that is why cases of Molluscum Contagiosum are found more in the tropical areas.
But there is a sexual connection as well. Since it is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) the Molluscum Contagiosum virus can be spread through sexual contact with an affected person. Sometimes the rashes that appear on the skin are not recognizable as Molluscum, and these are the times when a person needs to be extra careful. Since it may become difficult to know for sure whether the person has the virus or not, for precautionary measures it is always better to have just one sex partner. Then contracting the disease becomes difficult.
Though it has been graded as a sexually transmitted disease, but the Molluscum Contagiosum can be spread without sexual contact as well. And all these other reasons are through skin-to-skin contact with an affected individual. This can happen when we share public places such as public vehicles, bath, swimming pools, crowded nightclubs, movie halls, toilet seats, crowded sports arenas, getting a tattoo done and other such places and activities.
Molluscum can even spread through doctors. Since this disease is extremely contagious, and because of the fact that doctors need to touch their patients quite regularly, they can transmit the virus if they are themselves infected. The disease may even be spread through surgery, particularly if gloves have not been used properly for protection. While in the western world this is rare, but in many countries this can be a risk factor. And the Molluscum disease gets spread worldwide and is quite common actually.
Another reason why Molluscum spreads is purely personal in nature and that involves scratching the affected parts of the skin. When someone gets into the habit of scratching it can become like an addiction and cause the virus to spread to previously unaffected skin areas.
Skin is the biggest organ we have. So take care not to spread Molluscum. For self-care and also for the welfare of all those who are around.
Researchers and medical professionals agree that the virus that is behind the malaise is the same one that had caused chicken pox in the younger years. Since a virus cannot be completely removed from the human body (only the symptoms can be treated), it remains dormant after the chicken pox has been cured. Then after years, the same virus becomes active again to make the Molluscum disease spread. There is also unanimity on the believe that the virus in the body becomes active due to some triggers such as a weakened immune system or some other ailment.
It is believed that humidity and warmth are also reasons why this disease spreads. And that is why cases of Molluscum Contagiosum are found more in the tropical areas.
But there is a sexual connection as well. Since it is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) the Molluscum Contagiosum virus can be spread through sexual contact with an affected person. Sometimes the rashes that appear on the skin are not recognizable as Molluscum, and these are the times when a person needs to be extra careful. Since it may become difficult to know for sure whether the person has the virus or not, for precautionary measures it is always better to have just one sex partner. Then contracting the disease becomes difficult.
Though it has been graded as a sexually transmitted disease, but the Molluscum Contagiosum can be spread without sexual contact as well. And all these other reasons are through skin-to-skin contact with an affected individual. This can happen when we share public places such as public vehicles, bath, swimming pools, crowded nightclubs, movie halls, toilet seats, crowded sports arenas, getting a tattoo done and other such places and activities.
Molluscum can even spread through doctors. Since this disease is extremely contagious, and because of the fact that doctors need to touch their patients quite regularly, they can transmit the virus if they are themselves infected. The disease may even be spread through surgery, particularly if gloves have not been used properly for protection. While in the western world this is rare, but in many countries this can be a risk factor. And the Molluscum disease gets spread worldwide and is quite common actually.
Another reason why Molluscum spreads is purely personal in nature and that involves scratching the affected parts of the skin. When someone gets into the habit of scratching it can become like an addiction and cause the virus to spread to previously unaffected skin areas.
Skin is the biggest organ we have. So take care not to spread Molluscum. For self-care and also for the welfare of all those who are around.
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